Ohio and Indiana will operate their own test ranges for unmanned aircraft and seek ways of promoting more research and development to attract drone-related businesses after losing in their joint bid for a coveted FAA test site.

The states sought one of six Federal Aviation Administration drone test sites being set up as the agency develops a plan to safely integrate commercial drones into U.S. airspace.

An industry-commissioned study predicted drones could produce thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic impact after that integration. And Ohio and Indiana want a share in any economic boom.

Officials say they are seeking more ways of individually and jointly promoting their shared region as a location where unmanned aircraft businesses can thrive.

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